The Current Humanitarian Landscape

Despite impressive growth, institutionalization and professionalisation, the humanitarian system is facing an existential crisis. While time-tested tools, funds and capacities are readily available, the system has succumbed to a widespread malaise and is not delivering. Recent crises from Afghanistan to Somalia, Haiti, Sri Lanka and Pakistan as well as current emergencies – Syria, South Sudan, Central African Republic, among other less visible crises, question the very foundations of humanitarianism and of the galaxy of institutions that pursue humanitarian goals.

​The intractable nature of many crises and the instrumental use of humanitarian action to cover up for the political failures of the so-called international community are leading to a growing realization that the humanitarian system as presently constituted is not fit for purpose—and growing dissonance about what the purpose should be. ​

Our analysis of the current humanitarian system, its strengths and weaknesses, builds on ongoing research conducted by the FIC team, including Case Studies and Briefing Papers. In our conclusions we will identify areas where, given the political will to do so, immediate improvements could be introduced in order to make the humanitarian system more effective in responding to current crises and disasters.

Case Studies and Briefing Pape​rsAs part of its research, Feinstein International Center is producing a series of papers that capitalise on recent or ongoing research. These include Case Studies that analyse blockages and game changers affecting humanitarian action in recent crises–and what these crises tell us about the state of the humanitarian enterprise.

​We are also preparing background papers on emerging or under-researched policy, operational or systemic issues that need to be better understood because of they ways in which they affect the changing humanitarian landscape.

​Can revolutionary medicine revolutionise the humanitarian system?​

﻿An analysis of Cuba's humanitarian work as an alternative to Western-dominated humanitarian activities